20 of the best inexpensive restaurants in Birmingham under $ 20
Reading time 5 minutes
We all know Birmingham’s food scene is all the rage, but sometimes it can be a bit pricey to go out. If you’re trying to earn some pennies for the holiday season, we’ve rounded up some of Birmingham’s best inexpensive food for you. Best part? They’re all under $ 20, so keep reading!
1. Yo mom
![eat cheap in bham](https://i2.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/yo-mama.jpg?resize=1000%2C877&ssl=1)
We love the chicken here at ‘Ham and Yo Mama’s has some of the best a la carte deals. So, you really want to try their fried wings. You get 6 wings or 3 offers for only 7.95!
Yo Mama is def the OG for inexpensive meals in Birmingham.
- Price: $ 7.95
- Site: 2328 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL
- Hours: Monday-Friday 10.30am-2.30pm | Friday-Saturday 9 am-1pm
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
2. The kitchen of the soul of SAW
![The saw barbecue](https://i1.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Saws-BBQ-13-2.jpg?resize=1400%2C933&ssl=1)
If you haven’t eaten the award-winning Sweet Tea Chicken Sandwich, you’re missing out. This winning burger has everything you need like its special sauce and pickles. Who doesn’t love pickles and good prices?
- Price: $ 8
- Site: 215 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11 am-10pm
- Website | Instagram | Facebook
3. Green acres
Looking for more cheap restaurants in Birmingham? Seriously Dough, almost all their menu is less than $ 5.
- Price: Less than $ 5 for most items
- Address: They have several locations around Birmingham. Find them here.
- Hours: Monday-Wednesday 9 am-9.45pm | Thursday-Saturday 9 am-10.45pm
- Website
4. The Mexican restaurant in Los Juane
My favorite in any Mexican restaurant is a chimichanga and the one in Los Juane is hands down one of the best in Bham. At $ 12.05, you really want to try this queso-covered fried burrito.
It is also served with Spanish rice, refried beans and a green salad. I don’t know about you but that’s two meals for me!
- Price: $ 12.05
- Site: 401 19th St S, Birmingham, AL
- Hours: Monday-Friday 10.30am-9pm | Saturday 10 am-9pm
5. Jasmine
![Café Jasmine in Pratt City](https://i0.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-14-at-3.27.32-PM.png?resize=662%2C773&ssl=1)
Anyone else obsessed with meat + all three, ATM? Most dishes at Jasmine are under $ 5. It is certainly soul food made easy!
PRO TIP: Their baked chicken pairs well with candied yams and collard greens – MIAM.
- Price: Meat $ 4.85 | Sides $ 1.85
- Site: 134 U Avenue, Birmingham, AL
- Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11 am-6pm | Saturday-Sunday 11 am-5pm
6. Maple Street Cookie Company
![Maple Street biscuit company apple butter | cheap eats in birmingham](https://i1.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_0311-2.jpg?resize=1400%2C1867&ssl=1)
I’m the all-day breakfast type, which means you’ll probably see me ordering the Bluegrass Grits Bowl. You get cheese oatmeal, topped with pecan wood-smoked bacon, a fried egg, and a touch of hot sauce, all for $ 10.30. Carbe Diem!
- Price: $ 10.30
- Site: 2801 18th Street South, Homewood, AL 35209
- Hours: Sunday-Saturday 7 am-2pm
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
7. Ranelli’s charcuterie
![Ranelli's Cafe Deli](https://i2.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-7.38.04-AM.png?resize=1072%2C1432&ssl=1)
I’m not kidding when I say you can get “the best sandwich in Alabama” according to the Alabama Department of Tourism. For $ 13.50, you can eat Ranelli’s Richman, a sandwich with ham, corned beef, peppered beef, Genoa salami, pastrami, Swiss AND provolone.
These sandwiches are undeniably some of the best inexpensive dishes in Birmingham.
- Price: $ 13.50
- Site: 1225 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205
- Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Website | Facebook
8. Farm Bowl + Juice Co.
![acai bowl farm bowl teacher | cheap eats in birmingham](https://i2.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2B3F2AA2-981E-4F29-86BE-3F8F86C9825A.jpg?resize=1400%2C1867&ssl=1)
Farm Bowl has some of the best acai fruit smoothie bowls around. For less than ten dollars, you can get the Nutty Professor Bowl with their blend of Acai, Strawberry, Blackberry, Apple and Granola (GF). My favorite part is the local honey, a win for the sweet tooth.
- Price: $ 9
- Site: 1920 29th Avenue Homewood, Alabama
- Hours: Monday to Friday 7 am to 7 pm | Saturday-Sunday 8 am-7pm
- Website | Instagram
9. Too easy
![on an easy restaurant](https://i1.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/FullSizeRender-331.jpg?resize=896%2C672&ssl=1)
At Over Easy, there is food for everyone; they even have local oatmeal and sausage. While you’re looking for cheap food in Birmingham, you should get their cookies and gravy for just $ 8 and you get a cup of fresh fruit – TASTY.
- Price: $ 8
- Site: 358 Hollywood Blvd, Birmingham, Alabama
- Hours: Monday-Friday 7 am-12pm | Saturday-Sunday 8 am-1pm
- Website | Facebook
10. Japanese fusion IKKO
![ramen with a boiled egg | cheap eats in birmingham](https://i0.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ikkoveggieramen.jpg?resize=1000%2C666&ssl=1)
If you are looking for an inexpensive restaurant in Birmingham that offers fine ramen, then IKKO is for you. For $ 12.50, you can get miso ramen—mm good soup.
- Price: $ 12.50
- Site: 1909 11th Ave S # 2603, Birmingham, AL
- Hours: Monday-Sunday 11 am-10pm
- Website | Facebook
11. Mexican restaurant Los Arcos
Los Arcos tacos are just $ 3.75, including the steak, chicken, and beef tacos. Their nachos supremos appetizer costs just $ 6.99, but it’s enough for two. Buen Provecho!
- Price: $ 6.99
- Site: 7001 Crestwood Blvd, Birmingham, AL
- Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 am-10pm | Friday-Saturday 11-10: 30am
- Website | Facebook
12. China Way
China Way is number 1 in our hearts when it comes to inexpensive meals in Birmingham. You should definitely try their shrimp fried rice; it’s a fan favorite. So you tell me a fried shrimp this rice for only $ 8.50? Yes, it’s true. Support is under $ 9!
Did you know that China Way also offers drive-thru? So, not only is it cheap, but it’s also fast. Don’t sleep in this Bham restaurant.
- Price: $ 8.50
- Site: 5220 Porto Madrid Blvd, Birmingham, AL
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am-10pm | Friday-Saturday 11 am-11pm | Sunday 11 am-9:30pm
- Website
13. Purple onion
![tasty melting turkey sandwich | cheap eats in birmingham](https://i0.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/The-Purple-Onion.jpg?resize=644%2C960&ssl=1)
The iconic Purple Onion invented cheap food in Birmingham. For just $ 4.95 you can get their chili burger. Their turkey wrap is $ 6.95 and the onion rings are $ 3.25. I mean, the list goes on and on. There really is something for everyone.
- Price: Less than $ 10
- Site: They have multiple locations. Check them out here.
- Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 10:30 am-12pm | Thursday 10:30 am-2am | Friday-Saturday 10:30 am-3:00am
- Website | Facebook
14. Taj India
![Birmingham, Alabama, Taj Wraps, Indian Cuisine, Eastwood Shell Food Mart](https://i2.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/TajWrapsMajarahaChicken_9320.jpg?resize=1400%2C1050&ssl=1)
Taj India has all you can eat for just $ 9.99? Sounds like a great place to eat inexpensively in Birmingham. This offer is only available for lunch and during the week.
- Price: $ 9.99
- Site: 2226 Highland Ave, Birmingham, Alabama
- Hours: Sunday-Monday LUNCH 11 am-2pm
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
15. EAT Highland
![Wendy Cruse from EATS Highland](https://i1.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_0039.jpg?resize=1400%2C1050&ssl=1)
EATS Highland is the ultimate in inexpensive Southern and Latin food. For cheap southern meals in Birmingham, you will definitely want to try their grilled chicken.
- Price: $ 10.50
- Site: 2608 Highland Ave, Birmingham, Alabama
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11 am-2pm | Friday-Saturday 11 am-9pm
- Website | Instagram
16. Dos Hermanos
![eat cheap at birmingham taco for $ 2](https://i2.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Dos-Hermanos.jpeg?resize=1400%2C1061&ssl=1)
Did we mention that Dos Hermanos has $ 2 tacos? This Taco truck specializes in cheap and tasty food.
- Price: $ 8.50
- Site: 1331 1st Ave N Birmingham, AL
- Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9 am-2pm
- Facebook | Instagram
17. Golden rule BBQ
![eat cheap in bham bbq edition](https://i1.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/95264586_2245919762370816_3861286628303568896_n.jpg?resize=936%2C960&ssl=1)
Listen: it’s only $ 6.29 for a plate of giant pulled pork. Everything is homemade so you know it’s going to be good.
- Price: $ 6.29
- Site: 2506 Crestwood Blvd Irondale, Alabama
- Hours: Monday-Thursday + Saturday 10.30am-9pm | Thursday 10:30 am-7pm | Sunday 11 am-8pm
- Website | Facebook
18. West of Niki
![niki's west fried okra](https://i1.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/46863406_2165619540135443_3075949234004951040_n.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1)
This family-run restaurant offers some of the best inexpensive food in Birmingham. For vegetable lovers, they have mastered fried okra, a Southern staple.
- Price: Less than $ 10
- Site: 233 Finley Ave West, Birmingham, AL
- Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30 am-5pm
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
19. Johnny’s
![meat + three from johnny's](https://i1.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/johnnys-catfish.jpg?resize=1100%2C733&ssl=1)
Fancy a classic southern meat + three? For three years in a row, Johnny’s in Homewood has been nominated for the James Beard Foundation award, and for 12.99 you can get meat + three vegetables.
PRO TIP: Try mashed sweet potatoes with cinnamon maple butter on the side.
- Price: $ 12.99
- Site: 2902 18th Street South, Suite 200, Homewood, AL
- Hours: Sun-Fri 11 am-2:30pm
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
20. Gilchrist
![turkey fondant strawberry shake](https://i0.wp.com/bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/gilchrist.jpg?resize=828%2C946&ssl=1)
Love an old-fashioned soda restaurant? Gilchrist is the place to go. While you’re at it, try their Honey Roasted Turkey Sandwich ($ 5.09) with Strawberry Shake ($ 3.99). If the glass of fancy milkshake doesn’t convince you to go for it, I don’t know what will.
- Price: $ 9.08 (for the shake + sandwich)
- Site: 2805 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook, Alabama
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am-4:30pm | Saturday 8:30 am-4pm
Did we miss your favorite cheap food in Birmingham? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know.
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